South Asia
Serum Covid Vaccine Vaccines are allowed to be exported from India to all countries: Serum CEO Adar Poonawalla
Dhaka, January 6: News of the Indian government's recent ban on exports of the coronavirus vaccine has raised concerns. In this regard, Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Serum Institute of India, an Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufacturer in Asia, said that all countries are allowed to import coronavirus vaccines from India. He made the announcement in a tweet on Tuesday (January 5).
Adar Poonawalla tweeted, "I would like to clarify two matters; as there is confusion in the public domain, exports of vaccines are permitted to all countries and a joint public statement clearing up any recent miscommunication with regards to Bharat Biotech will be made."
I would like to clarify two matters; as there is confusion in the public domain, exports of vaccines are permitted to all countries and a joint public statement clearing up any recent miscommunication with regards to Bharat Biotech will be made.
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) January 5, 2021
On November 5, Beximco Pharmaceuticals signed an agreement with the Serum Institute to receive 30 million doses of the Oxford-produced Covishield vaccine. According to the agreement, Bangladesh will get a total of 30 million doses in the next six months at the rate of 5 million per month. The Bangladesh government also said it had sent an advance of Tk 600 crore on Sunday.
This should clarify any miscommunication. We are all united in the fight against this pandemic. https://t.co/oeII0YOXEH
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) January 5, 2021
But in the meantime, the Indian authorities have instructed the vaccine maker Serum Institute to stop exporting coronavirus vaccines for the next few months. As a result of the ban, poor countries may have to wait a few more months for the first dose of the corona vaccine. After such news spread, the Bangladesh government started liaising with the Delhi High Commission in Dhaka and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi.
Health Secretary Abdul Mannan told a news conference on Monday (January 4th) that there would be no problem in getting the vaccine in time as Bangladesh has a G2G agreement with India on the vaccine.
He said, "We have spoken to the Indian Deputy High Commissioner. He said that the agreement we have reached is a financial transaction between the two governments. The sanctions imposed by India are on their business activities, not on us. It has been clarified by the High Commission. "
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen dismissed the confusion over the supply of coronavirus vaccine from India, saying Bangladesh would get the vaccine from India in time.
"Bangladesh and India will get the vaccine at the same time. Bangladesh has no reason to worry as the decision has been taken at the highest level. There is no reason to worry. Bangladesh is awaiting the approval of the vaccine regulator and that will be done soon," he told a news conference on Monday.
